The Unexpected Cosplay Body Love Lesson I Learned at Comicpalooza

This is a continuation of my experience at Houston’s Compicpalooza as part of this really fun blogger partnership program. I get a free pass to check it out then I get to share my experiences with you all. WIN/WIN

Today I’m going to delve into the world of Cosplay and how one organization is bringing the unthinkable to life and it’s really freaking cool.

There’s no question that one of the best things about these cons are the costumes! Regular people really really take on cultivating and creating their own unbelievable designs. Everyone loves it and photo-ops are everywhere you turn! Here are just a tiny sample of what I captured:

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

That’s not what I’m here to share though.

As I browsed through the many, many, many options lectures, Q&A, and meet & greets it was the CosAbility: Cosplay for those with Disabilities that caught my eye. It was a phenomenal and uplifting presentation I wish more people could experience.

The panel was lead by CosAbility founder, 15 year olf Kirsten Passmore who also happens to be in a wheelchair because she also happens to have cerebral palsy. Who also happens to have a passion for cosplay and she is encouraging others to embrace their disability and incorporate it into their costumes like she has!! Tada:

Photo from the CosAbility FB page which can be found here: CosAbility FB

Seriously, how amazing is that cosplay??! More importantly, she spoke about how she was inspired by scripture to embrace who she is, exactly how she was made, to server her own purpose. It was reading John 9:1-4 that inspired her mission and she hasn’t looked back.

As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth.2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.4 As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.

With the support of her family she is working hard to bring this message to others from her own perspective and by sharing her experiences. In the audience was a variety of people with a variety of abilities. Her cousin who is an incredibly talented artist showed us how to create costumes by using a variety of inspirations by just using a character’s distinguishing characteristics then using a whole lot of creativity. What people have put together is jaw dropping and hilarious!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

She also highlighted some of the greatest superheroes we know and love that we forget even have disabilities! So it’s not always about adapting cosplay to their disability but emulating some characters that already exist and the list of characters keeps growing and growing. They want kids and adults to learn that being wheelchair bound, blind, or missing limbs can’t stop you from being great and the earlier we can teach that to our children the better. She emphasized the importance of these characters to young children who often emulate their favorite characters but more so characters they can relate to. “Seeing a superhero with your same ability helps kids to be brave, too” Says Kirsten

It is a universal message for all of us to continue to share ourselves with one another because you have no idea who you will inspire. We don’t have to leave this job to others but can do it powerfully by simply being ourselves honestly and unapologetically.

Some of my fellow bloggers caught some really awesome cosplay at Comicpalooza this year! Thank you KJ Productions and Independent Mami for sharing your pictures of these amazing costumes.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Thank you to Kirsten and her supportive family for coming out and sharing this perspective with me and many, many, many others. I didn’t expect to be touched by cosplay but this turned out to be the highlight of my experience this weekend. Every single one of us has something to contribute. The incredible gift we are all given is the unique ability to do it in our own way. You are doing some really incredible things! ❤